In over a month from now, this administration will be one year in office and I am happy to report that in the last 10 and half months, this government has embarked upon several high impact projects; some completed while many are still ongoing. All of these are the outcome of our strategic and methodical plan to deliver a Lagos that is safe, clean and prosperous.

In the last two Quarterly Town Hall meetings, the 1^st in West and the 2^nd in Central, we have reported the achievements of the government under the various sectors. Today, we will only highlight some key achievements and listen more to you. We want to hear from you so that we can serve you better.

LAST QUARTER REPORT (ACTIVITIES BETWEEN JAN – MAR 2016)

Before I hand the proceedings over to you, let me brief you of some key highlights in the last quarter.

COLLABORATION

We realise that one of the ways to fast-track our economic growth is through collaboration and partnerships.

As a result we entered into a partnership with Kebbi State for the establishment of a commodity value chain for the production, processing and distribution of commodities such as Rice, Wheat, Groundnut, Onions, Maize/Sorghum and Beef. This activity is majorly in the East Senatorial zone.

In the last quarter, Lagos State joined the Odu’a Investment Group. This is a major landmark in the South-Western states’ efforts towards regional integration and will benefit our State immensely.

The State has also entered into an agreement with the Federal Government to redevelop the National Museum at Onikan in line with our resolve to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and sports to drive growth and development of the State.

We have also commenced negotiations with Namibian Investors in the areas of Tourism and Hospitality, especially on creating parks and resorts from the many open spaces in the State. Local Investors are also welcome to this thriving sector.

 SPORTS

In the last quarter, as part of our efforts to position Lagos as a destination choice for Sports, Tourism and Investment in Africa, we hosted the Maiden Edition of “Lagos City Marathon”. This was a big success.

 We will sustain the event on an annual basis as well as continue to host other International Sporting events in order to improve Tourism in the State.

SECURITY

 Our commitment, determination and massive investment in security equipment in the last few months has yielded positive results.

The prompt rescue of the kidnapped Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary Girls by Security Agents and the quelling of the recent Mile 12 crisis in the State are pointers to this. Many criminal elements who had terrorized parts of the State have been arrested and will face the full wrath of the Law. I am ready to pay monetary compensation for information on hardened criminals as we proceed to make Lagos crime-free.

We are happy to report that crime rate has also reduced in the last Three months.

LIGHT UP LAGOS PROJECT

The Lagos Light Up initiative of this administration is up and running.

In this quarter, we connected 68 Communities in Lekki/Ise/Odeomi in Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area of the State, who had been without electricity for 5years, to the National Grid. We have also commissioned the street lights from Ile Zik in Ikeja to the Sango old toll gate and from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport to Oshodi. Street lights have also been installed and retrofitted on many roads too numerous to list here. We would give greater attention to Ikorodu and its environs immediately.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The contracts for the construction of fly-overs in two of the State’s high traffic zones – Ajah Roundabout and Abule-Egba Junction were awarded and work has started. These two projects will be delivered on schedule this time next year.

Work has also started on the Berger pedestrian bridge. Work is at an advanced stage on the Ajasa Command and Aboru-Abesan link road to ease traffic on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway and link the various communities.

The phase 1 of the Lagos Blue Line rail is now 85% completed.

We are happy that better attention is being paid to the East Senatorial Zone. Road construction is ongoing in Epe, Ikorodu, Somolu and other places.

JOB CREATION

The Board of the State Employment Trust Fund has been constituted and N6.25b, which represents the State government’s commitment to the Fund for Year 1, has been paid to the Fund. By the next quarter, we will report the successes of this Fund in terms of beneficiaries and employment.

EDUCATION

I have recently assented to the amended Lagos State University Law and approved the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for the institution. A Provost has also been appointed for Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Otto Ijanikin.

In the last quarter, the State government paid over N561m for 46,000 candidates that are sitting for the WAEC examinations this year.

With the various measures to reposition the Education Sector and guarantee quality control, Lagos State Schools will soon be amongst the best centers for learning in Africa.

HEALTH

Our hard working Health Officials initiated quick action plans to curb and eradicate the recent outbreak of Febrile Rash disease commonly known as Measles at Otodo Gbame Community in the Eti – Osa Local Government Area of the State.

Our Health Officials also contained the outbreak of LASAA fever. In order to manage such incidents in the future, we have reactivated isolation Wards in LASUTH and 26 General Hospitals for the isolation of any suspected case.

Let me use this opportunity to appeal to all Lagosians to be vigilant and cooperate with our Health Officials in the various Local Governments and Communities by reporting any strange illness to the nearest health facility. 

SOCIAL WELFARE AND RULE OF LAW

We have launched the Priority Actions Document to end all forms of violence against Children. We have set up a channel in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) for abused individuals to report cases of domestic and sexual violence to the government. We have also trained first responders to effectively deal with each reported case.

We launched mobile courts to try traffic and environmental offences. This will guarantee citizens’ access to justice and at the same time ensure order and civility is preserved in the society.

CONCLUSION

Ladies and Gentlemen, historically, Lagos East Senatorial Zone was the economic hub of this State in the then Western Region as it served as a link between the hinterland and the waterways leading outside the country.

Over the years, the economic activities have continually dwindled resulting in urban migration, underdevelopment and unemployment.  It is with a view of revitalizing the economic activities of this zone that Government has identified the need for urgent intervention.  To this end, Government will be relocating the Mile 12 Market to Imota.  Work on this will commence next week.

Our vision is to make the East Senatorial Zone economically viable and liveable.

In the same vein, many investors have shown interest in the actualization of our dream for the 4th Mainland Bridge which will run from Ajah to Ikorodu to Isawo and berth at Ojodu, Ikeja back to the Ibadan expressway; the redevelopment of the fish market to an international Fish Market and the redevelopment of the inner roads in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki. Let me reiterate the commitment of this Administration at ensuring that no part of this State is left behind in our quest towards development. This government is methodically and strategically pursuing our programmes to put Lagos on the world stage as a megapolis.

Please pay your taxes and take ownership of the projects we have initiated and together, we will build the Lagos of our dreams.

I solicit your support in ensuring the full realization of our policies and programmes to achieve our goal of a safe and prosperous Lagos.

Thank you.

God bless Lagos State.

God bless Nigeria.

God bless you all.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa logun.

Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor of Lagos State

14th, April, 2016